The need for liver transplants will be drastically reduced through the National Hepatitis Program in Bulgaria and will save the state millions of BGN. This was announced by Prof. Krum Katsarov - chairman of the Bulgarian Society of Gastroenterology at a round table on the problems of hepatitis, which was held today in the National Assembly.
"If we cure hepatitis A or C infection in patients on dialysis or with decompensated cirrhosis who are on the list for transplants, the probability of not getting a liver transplant is very high. And only one liver transplant a liver costs BGN 150,000. The institutions have become convinced that the purpose of this plan is not only to give some money for medicine and spend it. We have small target groups whose lives are extremely endangered", commented Prof. Katsarov for My Clinic.
According to the calculations of the specialists, 4 million leva will cost in 5 years to introduce a National program for prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis. Currently, the treatment of 1,500 Bulgarians with liver cirrhosis costs the state BGN 18 million for 3 years.